|
The first task in designing Arabetics WebPad was the implementation of a Java utility capable of demonstrating the advantages of utilizing our new font model and input/output method. Selecting Java technology over Macromedia Flash or other environments was carefully decided. It is a portable and powerful environment that adequately support Unicode and Open type standards. Combined with Javascript, it integrates well with other web applications. And most importantly, it is a platform independent environment.
The applet behind Arabetics WebPad works both as static and dynamic applet based on user selection through HTML code. In a dynamic mode, user decides what parameter values to choose or change to use the applet. Below is a brief description of available parameters:
Font: Select a font file stored on server
Font Size: Select font size
Anti alias: Turn on or off font smoothing
Format: Select either a text area or one line field format
Maximum Data: Determine maximum number of text characters in either text area or field format
Alignment: Align text right or left
Ordering: Select visual order of characters. Choices are: Right to left, Left to right, or bi-directional, the java environment default.
Keyboarding Method: Select what keyboarding method to use. Three options are available: "keymap", "system", or "user", the Java environment default. With "keymap", applet or user select, via an additional parameter, one of the supplied keymap files stored on server. With "system", applet or user select a keyboard on system, via an additional parameters specifying country and language. If not available applet will default to the "keymap" option. Finally, when "user" is selected, applet user may select among system keyboards installed, which is the Java environment default.
Input/Output Method: Select whether to use full glyph substitutions (shaping), final form only substitutions, or java environment default which is shaping
Font based Input Method: When font used includes appropriate logic to perform final shape only substitutions, three parameters are provided to make applet aware of such font
The Java applet behind Arabetics WebPad was designed to be very flexible and customizable. It can be used as an integrated part of a website or within an independent web application.
|